Samsung Galaxy S7 Active review

The Samsung Galaxy S7 Active currently has an Informr score of 8.1 out of 10.
This score is based on our evaluation of 15
sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The "1-Minute" Review

For the past few generations, the Active line of Samsung’s popular Galaxy S series has offered an interesting compromise of features for durability. For those looking for a rugged phone ready to life on the go, the new Galaxy S7 Active is here! But can it keep up with the current flagships or does surviving some falls mean giving up the S7 experience?

Turns out, that on the inside the S7 is largely the same! This is good news for anyone disappointed in the compromises of the previous Active releases.

However, there are a few key differences, so we hit the review sites to bring you an idea of what to expect from this rugged little powerhouse.

First thing you’re likely to notice is the design of the phone. This isn’t the super-slim, glass and metal job you’re used to seeing from Samsung. The phone has a permanent rubberized protective shell. While it adds a bit of size and heft to the handset, reviews are generally positive. Phone Arena notes, “The phone's bulky plastic exterior has the appearance of a rubberized bumper, though to the touch the material is much firmer; it feels like a smartphone bonded to a relatively high-end case.”

There is also a treatment on the front screen to help resist damage during falls. Combined with the protective shell, Samsung claims the phone can survive repeated falls from up to 5 feet. Tom’s Guide was one of the only reviewers to put this to the test, noting, “I tossed the device down a 12-step staircase multiple times, and the only real damage I noticed were a few scratches on the back.”

With IP68 water resistance, the phone is also good for full submersion in up to 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. Every reviewer with a fish tank or sink in the office had no problems taking their review model for a swim.

The last design difference is the button arrangement. In addition to the typical Galaxy S7 home button, the two Android buttons are hard buttons instead of capacitive. Reviewers noted no trouble in using them, though some wished they were back lit. There’s also the Active button on the side of the handset. You can program it to launch different apps depending on whether you short press, long press or double tap. This was a hit with all reviewers for its reliability and function.

Where many previous Active models resulted in downgrading certain parts of the hardware, this generation of Active nets you an upgrade in the battery department. Cramming in a 4000mAh cell, most reviews found the S7 Active near the top of their benchmarks with all noting that all-day use should be no issue. You’ll also find wireless charging and QuickCharge support for topping off if needed.

The only concern mentioned came from ZDNet, saying, “One thing to note is that the current Samsung Gear VR will not work with the S7 Active.”

As the rest of the specifications are identical, you can find information on performance, screen quality and camera in our summary on the Samsung Galaxy S7.

What the Critics Are Saying...

The S7 Active feels like Samsung has finally delivered on the concept it laid out with the first Galaxy Active phone years back: a no-compromises high-end Android phone that doesn’t look out of place on your office desk. Provided you don’t go with the camo color, of course.

- Chris Mills, BGR

The Galaxy S7 Active crams the best features of Samsung's excellent flagship into an very durable design.

The Galaxy S7 Active is a smartphone I’d recommend to any “active” person. The plastic shell is obviously the way to go for those in harsher environments, as any old regular Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge cannot hold up to those scenarios. The software is definitely disappointing, as it has...

- Brad Ward, Talk Android

The Galaxy S7 Active is a phone that tries to live in two worlds. Typical “rugged” phones are underpowered and offer poor user experiences. The Active tries to bridge the gap between rugged phones and flagship phones. It does a decent job of that. You’re not going to find another r...

If your Galaxy S7 Active has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Samsung support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Samsung's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.

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Critic Reviews

I can’t kill this indestructible smartphone

The S7 Active feels like Samsung has finally delivered on the concept it laid out with the first Galaxy Active phone years back: a no-compromises high-end Android phone that doesn’t look out of place on your office desk. Provided you don’t go with the camo color, of course.

The S7 Active feels like Samsung has finally delivered on the concept it laid out with the first Galaxy Active phone years back: a no-compromises high-end Android phone that doesn’t look out of place on your office desk. Provided you don’t go with the camo color, of course.

Durable greatness

Get the S7 Active if you're looking for a nearly indestructible phone that doesn't look like it came from a construction site. The less expensive Cat S60 survived durability tests with greater consistency, while the similarly priced Galaxy S7 Edge is the better choice if you place a premium on looks.

Get the S7 Active if you're looking for a nearly indestructible phone that doesn't look like it came from a construction site. The less expensive Cat S60 survived durability tests with greater consistency, while the similarly priced Galaxy S7 Edge is the better choice if you place a premium on looks.

High-end but with built-in protection

The Galaxy S7 Active is a smartphone I’d recommend to any “active” person. The plastic shell is obviously the way to go for those in harsher environments, as any old regular Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge cannot hold up to those scenarios. The software is definitely disappointing, as it h...More

The Galaxy S7 Active is a smartphone I’d recommend to any “active” person. The plastic shell is obviously the way to go for those in harsher environments, as any old regular Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge cannot hold up to those scenarios. The software is definitely disappointing, as it has the potential to be a whole lot more useful than it actually is, but then again, is the handset really aimed for a crowd who is worried about the type of software is on their handset? That’s a tough call, but I’d wager to say probably not.

Closest thing you can get to a truly rugged phone with high-end flagship specs

The Galaxy S7 Active is a phone that tries to live in two worlds. Typical “rugged” phones are underpowered and offer poor user experiences. The Active tries to bridge the gap between rugged phones and flagship phones. It does a decent job of that. You’re not going to find another rugged phone with the same high-end specs.

The Galaxy S7 Active is a phone that tries to live in two worlds. Typical “rugged” phones are underpowered and offer poor user experiences. The Active tries to bridge the gap between rugged phones and flagship phones. It does a decent job of that. You’re not going to find another rugged phone with the same high-end specs.

A phone that's tough to kill and tough to recommend

The fact that this phone is exclusive to AT&T at the moment is quite cumbersome. I had hoped that the age of carrier exclusives was coming to an end, but with this phone and the latest Motorola designs both being exclusive to US carriers (at least at the moment), it seems consumers aren't quite done suffering.

The fact that this phone is exclusive to AT&T at the moment is quite cumbersome. I had hoped that the age of carrier exclusives was coming to an end, but with this phone and the latest Motorola designs both being exclusive to US carriers (at least at the moment), it seems consumers aren't quite done suffering.

Tough enough to take a tumble without the brick-like bulk of some fully rugged handsets

I like the Samsung Galaxy S7 Active a lot — at least as far as the hardware is concerned. If you need something sturdier than your average glass phone, but still want the raw performance of today's best flagship, the S7 Active has everything you need.

I like the Samsung Galaxy S7 Active a lot — at least as far as the hardware is concerned. If you need something sturdier than your average glass phone, but still want the raw performance of today's best flagship, the S7 Active has everything you need.

Tough, rugged construction with top-shelf processor

Samsung's Galaxy S Active phones have long held their own against the mainstream Galaxy S handsets, and that's more true this year than ever before. With performance that's right on par with the Galaxy S7, the same killer features like that incredible camera, and not having to sacrifice things li...More

Samsung's Galaxy S Active phones have long held their own against the mainstream Galaxy S handsets, and that's more true this year than ever before. With performance that's right on par with the Galaxy S7, the same killer features like that incredible camera, and not having to sacrifice things like its fingerprint scanner, the Galaxy S7 active delivers without giving too much away in the process.

User Reviews

False advertisement

Waterproof? Lol. A week old thought I would try out the "Aqua" camera mode for underwater picture taking. Screen went black and haven't worked since. Now I'm told by Samsung that not only am I not getting a new one, I might have to pay the repairs on this phone... What a joke. I'll be going back to iPh...More

Waterproof? Lol. A week old thought I would try out the "Aqua" camera mode for underwater picture taking. Screen went black and haven't worked since. Now I'm told by Samsung that not only am I not getting a new one, I might have to pay the repairs on this phone... What a joke. I'll be going back to iPhones if they can't at least fix it for free for their faulty feature! It gets a 2 because I like the camera.
Less

I've had phone less then a week. Went to cookout which phone was laying on table. It started raining and phone was left out in rain for maybe 3 to 5 minutes. I was in no hurry to get phone because I thought it was water resistant they call it. Now brand new phone and volume buttons don't work. This phone is no more water resistant then a roll of toilet paper. Bad move for Samsung to advertise it as water resistant when you can't even leave it in rain

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